If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Rotisserie motor how to help

I'm planning the ol' family BBQ display this Halloween, but I seem to be stumped on what motor to use and how to set up a rotisserie. I am using a burn corpsed Barney skeleton with no arms and legs, that will be attached to the rod, so the whole skelly will need to turn. This will generate some weight for the motor to turn, so I will need a strong enough motor. Any suggestions? I always put in my two-cents worth, so I want to thank you for yours. HM

Terror Tom - Barney weighs about 8lbs corpsed without his arms and legs. I was thinking wiper motor, but wasn't sure. I'd definitely have to dial it down, or I'd tear him apart. What do you think? Sprockets and chain from an old bike? Another idea? I'm open for any suggestions...HM

While I've not built a rotisserie skellie myself, I do have a couple of the Dayton style open frame motors from rotisserie ovens, and they are plenty strong enough for the task with their gear reduction drive. Although, the chain drive idea will be more durable. I might suggest a drive pulley/belt instead for a less noticeable (visible) and quieter prop drive. It certainly could be adapted to a rotisserie motor or wiper motor with relative ease. If you were to support the ends of the skewer on pair of small rollers, think "cabinet single roller catch" used like a half bearing for the skewer to ride on, then the motor will be under far less stress from frictional losses.

If you support your spit properly using something like a pillow block bearing on either end, that will help a good bit. The other thing you might want to do is counterweight your spit. If your skellie will be attached to one side of the spit shaft, it is going to put a lot more load on the motor. If you balance that weight, your motor will have a much easier time with the load.

Thank you Raven's and Diabolik - very good suggestions, and points I hadn't pondered. RHC, though the pulley system you describe would be quieter, and probably more efficient, I do want the noise of a sprocket and chain assembly to give the display a "cobbled-together-from-parts-around-the-place" look, to give it a more "hellish" feel. A kind of TEXAS CHAINSAW / HOUSE OF 1K CORPSES family reunion type thing. I plan on highlighting the display in reds and blues. After all, nothing's too good for "Family"
HM

Heh heh! No problem, I gotcha. My mind is on ghosts, phantasms, and the poltergeist of the first documented serial killer in the U.K. Lol! That has me thinking in silent, unobserved forms of powering my props. Hmmm, although what do you thing about a gear drive using big gnarly looking gears cut out of wood and finished to look like metal?

You're welcome Yeah, I've got a few ideas for those myself. Unfortunately, my fcg frame wasn't big enough to handle 3 cranks rotating at different speeds without interfering w/ each other. Shame really, I want a fcg where the movements aren't synchronized. That left me stewing for a bit after going through all the effort for no joy.